Lexus at the LA Auto Show

With the streets around the Los Angeles show awash with Lexus models it’s surprising the US show is bereft of an official press conference from the luxury marque, writes Kyle Fortune…

Even without a crush of journalists and a quick speech to listen to the Lexus stand is a destination one in the LA Convention Center – not least as taking up a prominent central position is an LFA Limited Edition Nürburgring Package with 562hp from its 4.8-litre V10.

As if that’s not enough to excite the fast-lapping, one-of-50 supercar is joined by the beautiful pairing of the LF-CC and LF-LCconcepts. As show stoppers go the trio of sleek, L-Finesse coupes is about as good as it gets, the concepts proving that an economical, hybrid driven future is one we should all be looking forward to.

No word yet on when either might make production, but their showing in LA can only further the case for one or both reaching the showrooms. What will soon in the UK is the new LS, it too being shown at the US show. The new car, available now, will once again be offered with conventional V8 power, alongside the four-wheel drive LS600h L version in the UK.

The luxury saloon features promises a more dynamic drive, Lexus’s chassis engineers improving the dynamic performance of the saloon, those wanting a sharper drive still offered the option of the lower, firmer set up of F Sport specification with the V8 petrol model. Sharing space on the show floor is range of Lexus models wider than that available in the UK. The RX SUV is joined by the GX and LX models, these larger models suiting the US audience. A wider saloon range is also obvious, with the Lexus ES model slotting between the IS and GS models familiar to UK drivers.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the omission of the debut of the new IS, this anticipated to be revealed at the NAIAS in Detroit, January 2013. Not a long wait until then, and plenty for West Coast Lexus buyers to see at the LA show, especially the two gorgeous concepts – which would look fantastic on the Californian roads here…